A Nyamira assembly MCA has defended an ongoing voter registration in Gesima ward saying IEBC was within the law to conduct the exercise regardless of who organized the registration exercise.
Mr Ken Atuti had come under intense criticism from a section of residents led by aspiring MCA Julius Nyachieo over the exercise in which he was accused of registering people allied to his camp only, leading to disruption of the exercise.
Speaking on Tuesday in Gesima, Atuti cautioned residents against politicizing the constitutionally provided exercise and challenged his critics to embrace it.
“It’s really disappointing that people haven’t had enough civic education. Many think that registration is done towards elections. Voter registration is a continuous exercise and I pleaded with the officials to come to the ward to help people register in time. There is nothing fishy about that,” he said.
He blamed Nyachieo of inciting the public against a well-intended exercise and vowed to push for the exercise to go on as planned.
“Every citizen has a right to register as a voter. Nyachieo should not mislead the public. IEBC is doing its job and as a leader, I will ensure eligible citizens are registered. Registering people doesn’t mean that I am gaining politically and people should stop misleading the public,” he added.
However, Nyachieo defended his actions and said IEBC did not give a prior notification about the registration exercise.
“I am not insane to incite people about registration. IEBC messed because it never gave a prior notification. This is politics and politicians should be aware so that we reach our eligible supporters to register. It’s not just an affair of the MCA,” he said.